The Fitzroy Stars have strengthened their grip on top spot with a commanding 48-point win over Kinglake at Kinglake Memorial Oval.
The Stars broke the game open in the third term with three unanswered goals in the 12.11 (83) to 4.11 (35) victory in what some considered as a danger game.
“We knew Kinglake’s contest was going to be strong early: we just stuck to our process and had a collective buy in to execute our plan of going up and getting the four points,” said Fitzroy Stars coach Neville Jetta.
Jetta loved the work of Brock Carter in the ruck, while the return of Ethan Penrith helped ease the load off the other midfielders. Helping greatly in the win was the defence of the Stars, led by Kyle Thomas, James Dau and Corey Salvador.
The goals in the first term all came within a few seconds of each other on the clock. Both teams were battling to get good looks inside forward fifty, but Raman Winmar snapped a major from heavy traffic at the four-minute mark.
Before the ball was bounced, the Stars received another free which led to Neville Jetta running into space, receiving the ball and slotting the goal.
At the next centre bounce the Lakers went forward where Liam Styles marked at close range and converted the shot.
The Stars began the second term four points up and dominated early, kicking out to a 19-point lead. It was then Kinglake’s turn to control the play. Tom Clarke goaled, but his teammates missed some gettable shots.
The lesson for the Lakers was that top sides don’t give you too many chances and you need to take them when they present. Several other players missed shots when the game was there to be won in the middle stages of the contest.
Adding to the frustration for the local fans, Kyle Wheatley nailed a great set shot from out wide late in the half to send the Stars into the main break with a 17-point margin.
Sharpshooter Damian Pywell slotted a goal early in the third quarter for the home side to reduce the deficit to 10 points.
But the Stars controlled play for the rest of the term with three majors from the six to the 16-minute mark to increase their lead to 27-points at the last change.
The visitors then goaled via Elijah Taylor in the first minute of the last quarter. Dylan Hoysted replied soon after for Kinglake with a nice snap from a set shot near the behind post.
With plenty of time left and 26-points down, it gave the locals cheering on in the shed behind him a glimmer of hope.
The chances of a miracle comeback were snuffed out almost immediately when Lionel Proctor goaled up the other end. Jetta and Winmar each added their second goals to end the game. The Stars finished on a high as they look to extend their unbeaten run.
“We had a crack today but the Fitzroy Stars had one or two better players than we did; they’re a good side and we keep battling on,” said Kinglake coach Dave Florance.
Will Graf and Rye Johnson acquitted themselves well for the Lakers, along with Lachie White and Lochlan Kelly. Kinglake remains in the top five despite the loss and will need another couple of wins in the run home to firm up their spot in the finals.
The Stars broke the game open in the third term with three unanswered goals in the 12.11 (83) to 4.11 (35) victory in what some considered as a danger game.
“We knew Kinglake’s contest was going to be strong early: we just stuck to our process and had a collective buy in to execute our plan of going up and getting the four points,” said Fitzroy Stars coach Neville Jetta.
Jetta loved the work of Brock Carter in the ruck, while the return of Ethan Penrith helped ease the load off the other midfielders. Helping greatly in the win was the defence of the Stars, led by Kyle Thomas, James Dau and Corey Salvador.
The goals in the first term all came within a few seconds of each other on the clock. Both teams were battling to get good looks inside forward fifty, but Raman Winmar snapped a major from heavy traffic at the four-minute mark.
Before the ball was bounced, the Stars received another free which led to Neville Jetta running into space, receiving the ball and slotting the goal.
At the next centre bounce the Lakers went forward where Liam Styles marked at close range and converted the shot.
The Stars began the second term four points up and dominated early, kicking out to a 19-point lead. It was then Kinglake’s turn to control the play. Tom Clarke goaled, but his teammates missed some gettable shots.
The lesson for the Lakers was that top sides don’t give you too many chances and you need to take them when they present. Several other players missed shots when the game was there to be won in the middle stages of the contest.
Adding to the frustration for the local fans, Kyle Wheatley nailed a great set shot from out wide late in the half to send the Stars into the main break with a 17-point margin.
Sharpshooter Damian Pywell slotted a goal early in the third quarter for the home side to reduce the deficit to 10 points.
But the Stars controlled play for the rest of the term with three majors from the six to the 16-minute mark to increase their lead to 27-points at the last change.
The visitors then goaled via Elijah Taylor in the first minute of the last quarter. Dylan Hoysted replied soon after for Kinglake with a nice snap from a set shot near the behind post.
With plenty of time left and 26-points down, it gave the locals cheering on in the shed behind him a glimmer of hope.
The chances of a miracle comeback were snuffed out almost immediately when Lionel Proctor goaled up the other end. Jetta and Winmar each added their second goals to end the game. The Stars finished on a high as they look to extend their unbeaten run.
“We had a crack today but the Fitzroy Stars had one or two better players than we did; they’re a good side and we keep battling on,” said Kinglake coach Dave Florance.
